Guide · Pure
Horse care without colourants: colour doesn’t nourish
Purple, blue or rich green make a product on the shelf unmistakable. On skin, horn and light-coloured coats, however, colour makes it difficult to see clearly. This guide explains why colourants are found in horse care products, how to recognise them and why a colourant-free formula makes more sense.
Check CI number
No added colour
In brief
Colourants give care products an eye-catching appearance, but they serve no care function on the skin or hooves. They can stain light-coloured areas of the coat, hands or equipment and mask the natural colour of an area of skin. The equion Hoof & Skin Gel is free from colourants – so you can clearly see what you want to assess.
Key findings
- In care products, colour serves primarily for identification and marketing purposes.
- CI numbers in the ingredients list identify many colourants (dyes).
- A colourant-free formula makes it easier to examine the coat, skin and horn.
- equion is free from fragrances and colourants.
On this page
Label check 02
Make the colour visible – and then remove it.
The test is simple: CI numbers indicate the presence of colourants. A colourant-free formula keeps the coat, skin and hooves visible in their natural state.
Checkpoints
- 01
- Ingredients listNo CI number
- 02
- Care functionColour: 0
- 03
- Visual inspectionSkin remains visible
Understanding the category
Why are horse care products colourful in the first place?
Colour creates brand recognition. A purple or blue product stands out on the shelf, looks high-tech and often gives the buyer the impression of exceptional strength. To achieve this effect, the product needs colourants – but it doesn’t need them for its care performance.
On a horse’s skin, colour serves no protective, cleansing or conditioning function. It merely changes the product’s appearance. That is precisely why it is one of the first additives that a streamlined formula can do without.
A clear view
What colourants hide in everyday care
Assessing skin and hooves
Anyone who regularly cares for the same area wants to be able to spot changes. A heavily coloured layer can visually mask redness, dirt or the natural colour of hooves and coat. A transparent or colourless formulation keeps the view unobstructed.
Avoiding stains
Coloured pastes and liquids can leave visible marks on light-coloured coats, fingers, bandages or textiles. The added benefit is zero; the cleaning effort increases.
Keeping formulas streamlined
Every unnecessary additive makes a formula more complex. For products that are regularly applied to the same areas of the skin, there’s a strong case for keeping the number of purely cosmetic ingredients to a minimum.
Practical knowledge
Identifying colourants: the label check
- 01
Look for CI numbers. Many colourants are listed in the ingredients list with a Colour Index number, such as ‘CI 42090’.
- 02
Assess the product’s colour. A vivid, unnaturally uniform colour is a reason to read the ingredients list particularly carefully.
- 03
Look for specific statements. ‘Free from colourants’ is more meaningful than a general term like ‘natural’ or ‘pure’.
Powerful. Gentle. Pure.
The equion way: colourant-free by conviction
The equion Hoof & Skin Gel is free from colourants and fragrances. It doesn’t need a bright colour to do its job. The colourless texture can be applied in a wafer-thin layer and keeps the treated area visible.
We use ingredients free from harsh chemicals that are effective, gentle on the skin and easy to apply. equion contains no animal-derived ingredients. The formulation is carefully balanced for skin compatibility and daily use.
Manufactured in facilities qualified to ISO 22716, the production standard for human cosmetics. Filled in medical-grade packaging. Manufactured in Germany under licence.
Clear answers
Frequently asked questions
01Why are horse care products coloured?
Primarily for recognition and visual appeal. Colour makes a product stand out on the shelf or gives it a technical look, but it does not serve any necessary care function on the skin or hooves.
02How can I identify colourants in the ingredients list?
Many colourants are listed as CI numbers in the ingredients list, for example ‘CI 42090’. Also look for the specific statement ‘free from colourants’.
03Is a colourant-free gel always completely transparent?
Not necessarily. Raw materials may have a slight natural tint. ‘Colourant-free’ means that no colourants have been added.
04Does the equion Hoof & Skin Gel contain colourants?
No. equion is free from fragrances and colourants. This ensures that the treated area remains visible, and there is no added colour that can transfer to the coat, hands or equipment.
05Are colourful horse care products automatically harmful?
No. A striking colour alone does not prove that a product is harmful. However, colourants are not necessary for the actual care of the skin. A pure formula therefore consistently omits them.
Pure formula
Try colourant-free skin care – in the 10 ml size.
Apply a very thin layer and keep an eye on the treated area – without added colourants or fragrances.
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